Date de Décès: 2005-05-14
Date de Parution: 2005-05-16
Source: The Daily Advertiser, Lafayette, LA, US
LAFAYETTE - A memorial Mass and rosary will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, at Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Catholic Student Center for Dr. Robert G. Fontenot, who departed this life at 4:38 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2005. Dr. Fontenot was a Retired Professor of Education, from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The rosary will commence at 2 p.m., with the Mass following at 2:30 p.m.The Rev. William Gearhard will conduct the memorial services.Dr. Fontenot was the son of the late Marcellus Fontenot and Mabel Fontenot. He was a native of Grand Prairie, La., and a resident of Lafayette since 1965. He completed high school in Grand Prairie in 1950. In 1952 he entered into the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and received the Korean Service Medal with One Bronze Star, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Presidential Citation Award. In 1957 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. In 1962, he received a Masters of Arts, in Administration and Supervision from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. In 1965 he completed post-graduate work from Louisiana State University in Guidance and Counseling. He received his Doctorate in 1972 from Oklahoma State University in Educational Psychology. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Blue Key National Honor Fraternity.He began his teaching career in 1958 as a classroom teacher in the Iberia Parish School system. During that period he served as President of the Iberia Parish Teachers' Association, Chairman for the TEPS State Committee and as a delegate to the Louisiana Teacher Convention.In 1965 he was hired as an Associate Professor by the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He was a Diagnostician in Special Education and taught Special Education courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. In 1970 he became Coordinator of Elementary Education at the university. In 1975, he became Director of the National Bilingual Center at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Under his direction, the center received over seven million dollars in federal educational grants. He also served on numerous university, state and federal advisory boards and committees.He returned to the classroom teaching graduate courses in Philosophy of Education, Learning Theories, Trends & Issues in Education and Community School Relations.He also supervised student teachers and continued advising and counseling students.During his career he served on numerous advisory boards and committees, as well as published numerous articles and papers in professional periodicals. He made numerous presentations to university, state and federal committees and boards and conventions. His topics ranged from Early Childhood Development, Special Education, Behavioral and Academic Problems, Teacher Preparation, Bilingual Education, and the effects of school violence on education. He was also a member of numerous professional organizations, advisory boards and Ad Hoc committees and planning committees.He retired from The University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1998.He was also an active and proud member of the American Legion Post No. 69, were he served as Sr. Vice Commander.He is survived by is wife, Elvina Sebastien Fontenot, and his four children, Marcia Fontenot, Melanie F. Colvin, Denise F. Stelly and her husband, Mike Stelly, and Todd Fontenot and his wife, "GiGi" Dias Fontenot; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Oge and his wife, Elizabeth Hayes Oge, Andrea Oge, Christopher Colvin, Mathew Oge, Benjamin Colvin, Jacob Champion and Amber Champion; one brother, Luke Everett Fontenot and his wife, Deloris Fontenot, of Greenwell Springs, La; four sisters, Bonnie Kain and her husband, Jack Kain, of Metairie, Terri F. Thibodeaux and her husband, Newton Thibodeaux, of Eunice, Glenna F. Ledoux and her husband, Clarence Ledoux, of Baton Rouge, and Aline F. Seigel and her husband, Chuck Seigel, of Baton Rouge; his two sisters-in-law, Jeannette Dugas Fontenot Matzinger and her husband, Frank Matzinger, of Ruidoso, N.M., and Claudia Sebastien Olivier and her husband, Carroll Olivier, of Arnaudville, La. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, J.J. Fontenot of Lawtell, La. and Maj. Burton F. Fontenot, USAF.Honorary pallbearers will be John Montesano, Dr. Dan Jordan, Paul Olivier, Frank Billeaudeau and Everett Fontenot.The family would like to thank Hospice of Acadiana for their tender care, and we like to send a special thank you to the oncology nursing staff at Lafayette General Hospital for their professionalism, support and deep compassion.Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Louisiana Foundation, P.O. Box 44290, Lafayette, LA 70504. The Family will establish the Dr. Robert G. Fontenot Memorial Endowed Graduate School Scholarship.Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, is in charge of all arrangements.